The most wonderful time of the year is officially upon us. The foods, the smells, the lights, the music, the first snow, there is so much to look forward to. Thanksgiving begins the trifecta of family holidays and the next few months are sure to hold special moments shared with the people you love most.

For some though, the holiday season can be a source of stress, depression, and hardship. People may find themselves missing loved ones they have lost, struggling for money to afford a holiday meal or gifts, or simply feeling that they have no one to spend these holidays with.

In an effort to make sure that everyone feels the joy of the season, here is a list of ways to give back.

1). Smile at everyone you pass

2). Make an extra batch of cookies and surprise your local fire house, EMT, or police station

3). Give gifts that give back this season, here are some awesome examples

4). Pluck a name off the Giving Tree at your local Walmart, gift a present to someone in need this Christmas

5). Be extra generous with your tips at restaurants

6). Donate coats you don't wear anymore to a coat drive

7). Pay for coffee for the person behind you in line

8). Give your older blankets and towels, toys and animal food to animal shelters (they also are always in need of dog walkers and cat cuddlers)

9). Clean out the cabinets of all of those extra canned goods and donate them to a food drive

10). Making a trip to the city to see the tree? Hand out a few blessing bags while you're there

11). Donate your time at a soup kitchen

12). Get a group together for craft night to make cards for kids who may be spending the holidays in the hospital

13). Support your community by saving your holiday shopping for small business Saturday

14). Donate, or get creative and make blankets, to donate to Project Linus

15). Visit a nursing home

16). Spread love to everyone you cross paths with

Giving, in any of its forms, has a ripple effect. Lets each do what we can to make the ripple as large as possible. Be safe, give back, spread love.